North Star 10K Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Races, Running2 Comments

This is considered as the Pride of the North in terms of Running Events. It was usually held on the last Sunday of December every year since 1979. Unfortunately, the last North Star 10K Run was held in 2002 and it was never revived up to this day due to lack of sponsors and resources.

Mr. Pompey Crisologo and his brother, Danny Crisologo (sports columnist and sportsman who passed away) were the owners and race directors of this event. The Crisologos in Laoag City are the owners of the North Star Marketing, Inc which is the sole distributor of Petron Gasul in Ilocos Norte.

The race event started as a final test for the year-long running workouts to those who practiced running regularly among the youths, professionals and residents in Laoag and Ilocos Norte which was done on the last Sunday of the year. Cadets, Officers & Enlisted Personnel from the Philippine Military Academy would join this race regularly. Even runners from Manila would join as “free rides” were provided by the Farinas Bus Company, being one of the sponsors of the race.

The 10K route starts from the old Suba, Paoay Sports Complex/at the vicinity of the old Golf Driving Range of the Fort Ilocandia Golf Course. From that point, the runners go south along the Paoay Road where the finish line is at the point on the road directly beside the bellfry/tower of the famous Paoay Church at Poblacion, Paoay.

The first kilometer is the only hard part of the course as it is going uphill. After passing the 1st kilometer mark, the course is relatively a smooth downhill and flat terrain up to the finish line. The route is very near to the seashore as sand dunes are seen on your right while the Paoay Lake is seen at your left for the first 2 kilometers of the route. The rest of the route are bounded by rice fields/garlic fields on both sides of the road.

Mr Pompey Crisologo was my “informal coach” in running when I started training for the marathon. As an observer, he would make a critique on my running form and give tips on running training techniques and strategy. He reads a lot and he was way ahead of me in knowing the best and the latest technology in running, to include accessories in running and latest running news at that time.

This morning, I had a chance to see him in his office/commercial establishment and he is still very active and youthful at his age of 72!!! He is still wearing a running shoes with his jeans. Little did I know that he was 52 years old when he finished his first marathon in 1981 with an average pace of 6:00 minutes per kilometer. He said that he is still helping the sports development in the province with a  sports (running) project spearheaded by his business company and the Office of the Governor where they conduct 5K races in the different municipalities in Ilocos Norte and later have a 10K race for the top finishers/qualifiers in the 5K races. The top runners in this 10K race are “spotted” as future athletes of the province and given proper training as well as scholarships for high school and college degrees. He is proud to say that the province of Ilocos Norte had been a consistent winner/champion in Athletics/Track & Field in the Regional Athletic Meets for the past six years.

How I wish this running event would be revived soon with the help of Governor Michael Keon of Ilocos Norte and former Commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission, Director of the “Gintong Alay” and a former athlete/runner.

Training Journal (17-23 Dec 2007)

On By kingofpotsIn Runners' Training, RunningLeave a comment

17 Dec 2007—Easy Run; Total Distance: 11 miles/17.6 kms; Total Time: 1:39:53 hours; Average Pace: 9:04.8 mins/mile or 5:40 mins/kilometer

18 Dec 2007—Easy Run; Total Distance: 11 miles/17.6 kms; Total Time: 1:33:53 hours; Average Pace: 8:32 mins/mile or 5:20 mins/kilometer

19 Dec 2007—Easy Run; Total Distance: 11.5 miles/18.4 kms; Total Time: 1:35:55 hours; Average Pace: 8:20-8:25 mins/mile or 5:13-5:20 mins/km

21 Dec 2007—Tempo Run; Total Distance: 8.5 miles/13.6 kms; Total Time: 1:06:27 hours; Time for 10K: 49:17 mins

23 Dec 2007—LSD Run; Total Distance: 20.625 miles/33 kilometers; Total Time: 3:20:00 hours; Average Pace: 9:41 mins/mile or 6:03 mins/kilometer

“Nostalgic” Long Run

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Places to Run, Practice Runs, Running2 Comments

23 December 2007 (AM) 

I woke up at 5:00 AM today and started to prepare for my “once-a-week” long slow distance (LSD) run. I started my run at exactly 5:30 AM from my sister’s house at Barangay Dibua South (#59-A), Laoag City. It was still dark but there were lots of tricycles plying the road already because of the early morning mass (Misa de Gallo).

The terrain in Laoag City is relatively flat and all the roads are paved up to the Barangays. From Dibua, I passed by the City Cemetery and jogged towards and along Rizal Street, the main road of Laoag City, and turning right after the PNB Building, and leading towards the City Hall and to the Padsan River/Laoag Bridge.

Running along Rizal Street and all the way to the Laoag/Padsan Bridge leading either to the Gabu Airport or to Fort Ilocandia Hotel or to Suba, Paoay brings back good memories from the time I started running and preparing for my first marathon. This is where I spent most of my running workouts during the early ’80s.

From the Bridge, I proceeded along the Gabu/Airport Road and later turning left at the road intersection going to Suba, Paoay or the Road that goes to the Fort Ilocandia Golf Course and to the Municipality of Paoay.

I reached the Clubhouse of the Fort Ilocandia Golf Course at 1:37:00 hours, which in my estimate covers a distance of 16.5 kilometers or 10 miles from my sister’s house in Dibua. (With the aid of my Nathan Water Belt, my run became very comfortable). From the Clubhouse, I made my turn around and proceeded back to Dibua. The run on my way back was slower which took me 1:43:00 hours!

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I ran a total distance of 33 kilometers or 20.625 miles which took me 3:20:00 hours to finish. This was my longest run so far in my preparation for the Pasig River Heritage Marathon on the 24th of February 2008. I am glad that I am still injury-free and don’t have any major problems with my legs and body.

I started to alternately jog, run and walk on the last mile. I felt that I was about to reach my “Wall” if I continued running at a faster pace on my last mile before reaching my sister’s house. It was almost 9:00 AM when I finished my long run and the heat of the sun was starting to burn my skin.

I consider this long run as something special as I was able to recall all those running workouts I’ve done from the Laoag Bridge to Suba, Paoay and back, almost everyday, morning and afternoon before I joined and finished my first Marathon Race. This route was my favorite practice area and it gave me the strength and fulfillment to be a passionate and a lover of running.

Trip To Laoag City & Blah Blah

On By kingofpotsIn Insights, Places to Run1 Comment

On board a car, I left Manila at 4:30 AM for a road trip to Laoag City, my birthplace, to join my parents, brother, sisters, their respective families and my son for a Christmas celebration and reunion. It had been years since I had my last road trip to Laoag City at daytime. For the past years and months, I’ve been visiting my parents ( in their early 80s) by plane or by commercial bus trips during nighttime.

To my surprise, there had been so many changes on the things you see along the highway towards Northern Luzon. I told my driver and security detail who are both from the Ilocos provinces that there are so many buildings and structures newly-constructed along the road to include new municipal halls, new public markets, new big houses of OFWs, new Banks and commercial establishments to include popular fastfood outlets. My staff were laughing after hearing my comment.

But what is very disturbing is that the road to the North “never changed” since I was driving my 1970 VW “Beetle” during my Lieutenant days (late ’70s)! This is specially imminent from Urdaneta, Pangasinan, all the way to the Ilocos Provinces. It is still the same highway that former President Marcos built and improved—uneven asphalted highway brought about by uneven fillings on potholes and cracks; narrow shoulders on both sides of the road which are not yet paved; and the same vegetation on both sides of the road.

Slow traffic on daytime is also a “pain in the ass” for travelers. This is brought about by the presence of big trucks and cargo haulers (railway train could have decongested our roads from these cargo trucks); presence of slow-moving tricycles near and on urban centers; passenger bus and jeeps stopping along the road when getting or dropping off passengers; and the presence of people and animals crossing the highway 

This 12-hour trip also gave me the opportunity to play and listen to my “old” CD music collections (on the car’s CD player)–Michael Bolton; 1st Bee Gees Album; Dave Brubeck Quartet; Johnny Mathis; Keiko Matsui; Acoustic Alchemy; Ray Conniff and his Orchestra & Chorus; Diane Schuur; Dianne Reeves; Eric Clapton; Bob Marley; Peter White; Sting; and James Brown.

I could still remember in the ’80s (President Marcos time) when a group of national runners/athletes would run the distance from Laoag City to Manila in an individual relay with the last runner reaching Manila on the day of our National Independence. After the 1986 People’s Power, a group of Ilocanos who were supporters of former President Marcos and local politicians who were removed from their offices by the former President Cory Aquino walked from Laoag City to Manila to air their grievances and protest to the President. Another “National Candidate” in the past elections would run/jog along this highway to campaign from one town to another.

This highway/route is very the same route that our forefathers used before, during the Spanish times and up to the present.

The distance from Manila to Laoag City is 488 kilometers or 305 miles. Running at an average of 20 miles a day, I could reach Manila in 15 days!

I reached Laoag City at 4:00 PM and there was no enough time and strength for me to have my long run. I opted to talk to my parents and prepared my running gears for tomorrow’s long run.

Christmas Gift Wish List

On By kingofpotsIn InsightsLeave a comment

The following are the choices as Christmas 2007 Gift to Myself :

1) Sony Bravia LCD Flat TV (HD 1080)–R-Series (50”) or X-Series (40″) or V-Series (46″) with “Blu-Ray” DVD Player

2) IWC “Portuguese” White Dial Watch or Rolex Watch with Computerized Logo White Dial & Two-Tone Bracelet

3) Ipod Classic w/ Bose Earphones (QuietComfort 3)

4) Brand-new Car—Toyota Innova (V or J Model)

5) Apple iPhone or Apple iPod Touch

This is just a “wish list”!!!

To all the runners and visitors to this blog, let me greet you….

                         

                   MERRY CHRISTMAS

                                 AND

 A PROSPEROUS & PEACEFUL NEW YEAR!!!

Top 20 Female: 2007 Bataan Memorial Death March

On By kingofpotsIn Marathon Race, Marathon Race Results, Military, RunningLeave a comment

2007 Bataan Memorial Death March, Women’s Results
More Results:

Last Name, First Name
(Sex/Age)		 Time OverAll
Place		 Sex Place
/
Div Place		 DIV Net Time City, State, Country AG Time* BQ*
SHEILA VAN CUYK (F37) 3:38:24 10 1 / 1 FCivL 3:37:50 SANTA FE, NM, USA 3:32:21 BQ
VANESSA BERG (F28) 3:44:54 18 2 / 2 FCivL 3:43:39 ALBUQUERQUE, NM, USA 3:43:39  
MELISSA NELSON (F27) 4:00:10 35 3 / 3 FCivL 3:55:13 LAS CRUCES, NM, USA 3:55:13  
MARIANN JOHNSTON (F38) 3:58:28 41 4 / 4 FCivL 3:57:54   3:50:20  
MARISSA BERNADETTE (F23) 4:01:51 44 5 / 5 FCivL 4:00:01 EL PASO, TX, USA 4:00:01  
HEATHER R. PODHAJECKI (F35) 4:03:32 49 6 / 6 FCivL 4:01:47 ALAMOGORDO, NM, USA 3:58:22  
MARY WELLS (F47) 4:12:05 54 7 / 7 FCivL 4:05:15 LAS CRUCES, NM, USA 3:35:43  
DIANNA SULSER (F50) 4:07:38 56 8 / 8 FCivL 4:07:14 DENISON, TX, USA 3:29:22  
RENEE JEAN MOTTOLO (F30) 4:11:56 61 9 / 9 FCivL 4:09:31 PHOENIX, AZ, USA 4:09:25  
YELENA G TEMPLE (F39) 4:12:02 67 10 / 10 FCivL 4:11:12 RUIDOSO, NM, USA 4:01:21  
LAURA BERNAL (F44) 4:11:26 68 11 / 11 FCivL 4:11:20 EL PASO, TX, USA 3:49:17  
MELINDA JANE JOHNSON (F37) 4:17:56 70 12 / 12 FCivL 4:14:52 CORALVILLE, IA, USA 4:08:28  
SANDRA JEAN POWELL (F47) 4:17:29 79 13 / 13 FCivL 4:16:48 ALCALDE, NM, USA 3:45:52  
JAMIE SULLIVAN (F38) 4:24:20 88 14 / 14 FCivL 4:22:34 APO AP 4:14:13  
ERICA LOUISE ST GERMAIN (F26) 4:37:05 98 15 / 15 FCivL 4:29:26 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, USA 4:29:26  
SHELLIE M OLDASHI (F29) 4:34:29 103 16 / 16 FCivL 4:31:59 EL PASO, TX, USA 4:31:59  
SYLVIA TAZBIR (F54) 4:34:43 110 17 / 17 FCivL 4:33:37 ALBUQUERQUE, NM, USA 3:39:47  
LYNNE HARKEY (F39) 4:38:39 117 18 / 18 FCivL 4:36:00 COLLEGE STATION, TX, USA 4:25:10  
CARLA C HOFFMAN (F49) 4:38:39 118 19 / 19 FCivL 4:36:00 COPPELL, TX, USA 3:56:45  
ALLEGRA HOBBS (F25) 4:37:26 119 20 / 20 FCivL 4:36:07   4:36:07  

Top 20 Male: 2007 Bataan Memorial Death March

On By kingofpotsIn Marathon Race, Marathon Race Results, Military, Race Results, Races, RunningLeave a comment

                                           2007 Bataan Memorial Death March, Men’s Results
More Results:  

Last Name, First Name
(Sex/Age)		 Time OverAll
Place		 Sex Place
/
Div Place		 DIV Net Time City, State, Country AG Time* BQ*
MICHAEL WALDO (M53) 3:16:45 1 1 / 1 MCivL 3:16:43 LAS CRUCES, NM, USA 2:51:28 BQ
JOHN SCHMIDT (M42) 3:25:40 2 2 / 2 MCivL 3:25:04 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, USA 3:16:50  
BILL BARTHEN (M31) 3:28:05 3 3 / 3 MCivL 3:27:50 SUPERIOR, WI, USA 3:27:50  
FRANK CHARLES LIVAUDAIS (M32) 3:29:45 4 4 / 4 MCivL 3:29:07 AUSTIN, TX, USA 3:29:07  
RICKY E DE SHAW (M34) 3:33:42 5 5 / 5 MCivL 3:33:37 SOCCORO, TX, USA 3:33:37  
MICHAEL TOMPKINS (M49) 3:34:48 6 6 / 6 MCivL 3:34:37 COLUMBIA, MD, USA 3:13:58  
JEREMIAH NELSON (M32) 3:46:49 7 7 / 1 MMilL 3:34:56 ELLSWORTH AFB, SD, USA 3:34:56  
STAN F FERGUSON (M43) 3:36:40 8 8 / 7 MCivL 3:35:13 CONWAY, AR, USA 3:24:51  
TOM SILVERBERG (M53) 3:37:15 9 9 / 8 MCivL 3:35:31 BLOOMINGTON, MN, USA 3:07:51 BQ
RAYMOND D. WILLARD (M57) 3:42:35 11 10 / 9 MCivL 3:39:32 SUMMERVILLE, SC, USA 3:04:19 BQ
LOGAN DANIEL BEHRMANN (M34) 3:42:46 12 11 / 10 MCivL 3:41:01 ALAMOGORDO, NM, USA 3:41:01  
CHARLES COSNOWSKI (M33) 3:43:06 13 12 / 11 MCivL 3:41:23 ALAMOGORDO, NM, USA 3:41:23  
MICHAEL JAMES MALONE (M36) 3:48:13 14 13 / 12 MCivL 3:42:54 FARMINGTON, NM, USA 3:42:40  
BRIAN J. REARDON (M36) 3:50:26 15 14 / 13 MCivL 3:42:57 JEMEZ SPRINGS, NM, USA 3:42:43  
UNKNOWN DW00A49 (M99) 3:50:26 16 15 / 14 MCivL 3:42:57   0:48:42  
STEPHEN GRADY STANLEY (M54) 3:46:48 17 16 / 15 MCivL 3:43:27 GARLAND, TX, USA 3:12:59  
NOAH C. HANNERS (M27) 3:48:53 19 17 / 16 MCivL 3:43:54 EL PASO, TX, USA 3:43:54  
FRANK RATH (M38) 3:48:55 20 18 / 17 MCivL 3:44:14 CENTREVILLE, MD, USA 3:42:12  
               

Friday Run

On By kingofpotsIn Running1 Comment

21 December 2007

I did not run on Thursday but I had more time walking in the malls in Makati and Mandaluyong for the whole day looking for Christmas gifts for my staff. But, I ended looking for gifts for myself! I spent more time looking and comparing on the different Sony Bravia LCD TV (HD 1080)Models; looking for an Apple iPhone; and a Wireless Karaoke Microphone! I was not able to buy any of these but settled to buy three (3) pairs of thick Puma ankle socks for my running using my New Balance 902 shoes.

This morning, Friday, before attending the 72nd Anniversary Ceremonies of the AFP in Camp Aguinaldo, I had my morning tempo run inside the Libingan ng mga Bayani from 6:30-7:40 AM.

I ran 6.2 miles or 10 kilometers along the 2-mile route that I had measured within/inside the Libingan ng mga Bayani. After the 10K run, I made a cool-down run from the Gate of the Libingan ng mga Bayani up to C-5 and back along the “Heritage Mile”. I ran a total distance of 8.5 miles or 13.6 kilometers.

I registered 49:17 mins for my 10K run and 17:10 mins for my 2-mile cool-down run at a pace of 8:35 mins per mile. I finished my run in 1:06:27 hours.

I was happy with the result of my tempo run for 10K. I almost improved my time for the said distance for almost 3 minutes.

After resting for one week and concentrating on my daily easy long runs for the past days greatly contributed to the improvement of my running time.

Tomorrow, I will have my afternoon long run in Laoag City with my son.

Back In Manila

On By kingofpotsIn Pictures, Running3 Comments

I arrived in Manila yesterday morning to meet my son who just arrived from Los Angeles, California. My son, John, will be staying in the country for three weeks for the Christmas Holidays and asked me for him to ride on a bus going to Laoag City. Well, he got his wish and boarded a bus going to the North last night! He will be my running partner in the next few days.

Officially, I am in Manila to attend the 72nd Anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be held tomorrow, 21 December, with a Military Parade at the Camp Aguinaldo Grandstand which starts at 9:00 AM. No less than the President and Commander-In-Chief will be the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

Yesterday afternoon, at 5:00 PM, I had my easy run from my quarterts in Fort Bonifacio to the Libingan ng mga Bayani running along the outer/perimeter roads inside and leaving towards the gate, going down to C-5 Highway, up to the “Heritage Mile”, passing through the Libingan Road towards Lawton Avenue and all the way to Market! Market! and Serendra. I passed through the Bonifacio High Street Mall, right turn towards the MC Depot and then left to Jollibee. From that point, I sprinted towards McDonald’s and back towards Gate #1 of Fort Bonifacio. From the gate, I made my cool-down jog up to my quarters.

It was a nice 11.5-mile/18.4-kilometer run which I finished in 1:35:55 hours. I was running an average pace of 8:20-8:25 mins per mile or 5:13-5:20 mins per kilometer which was a faster pace from my previous runs in Jamindan this week. My easy run became a hard and fast workout!

I was trying to catch up with a lady runner which was 50 meters ahead of me at the Libingan Road going towards Lawton Avenue. I could only manage to get nearer to her at a distance of 10 meters ahead of me but I was not able to catch up with her. I lost her while we were approaching Market! Market! as the traffic was heavy and it was too dark already.

These are some pictures infront of The Infinity at The Fort on my way back to Fort Bonifacio.

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Pictures: Tuesday Run

On By kingofpotsIn Pictures, RunningLeave a comment

These pictures were taken during my Tuesday Run (18 Dec ’07) in Jamindan. I was using my Pharmaton singlet given after the 27th RUNNEX 10K run; Accel shorts; NB 902; and Penshoppe cap. 

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